1
as in to bewilder
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
the similar-sounding words "censure" and "censor" often confuse people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to complicate
to make (something) unclear to the understanding
stop confusing the issue with irrelevant facts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to mistake
to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related
a lot of people confuse popular fame with enduring achievement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to embarrass
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
she was confused by the shocking bluntness of his marriage proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
vandals had hopelessly confused the papers in the office files
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of confuse
But years later, McCarty’s description of that vantage point only served to confuse those in the fire station.
—
Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Customers were confused over SNAP benefits that remain in limbo amid the government shutdown, the teller explained.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
The kids just might confuse this veggie casserole with their favorite mac and cheese recipe.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2025
People often confuse quirkiness with stupidity.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Customers were confused over SNAP benefits that remain in limbo amid the government shutdown, the teller explained.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
The kids just might confuse this veggie casserole with their favorite mac and cheese recipe.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2025
People often confuse quirkiness with stupidity.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confuse
Verb
-
Nandi is experiencing severe insomnia, tremors and psychosis, and her quickly deteriorating condition bewilders the emergency room staff.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
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Gelles avoids lionizing Patagonia’s leader, describing Chouinard’s mercurial leadership style that often bewildered his staff at Patagonia.—
Maya Silver,
Outside,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But the Supreme Court ruling and ongoing redistricting measures may complicate the political landscape even further.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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The aftermath of a ruling against him also could be complicated, if the government must issue refunds for the tariffs that had collected $195 billion in revenue as of September.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Logic detects patterns and refines them, mistaking iteration for innovation.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Some of us had at first mistaken the howler monkeys for machinery.—
Ryan Knighton,
AFAR Media,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Kardashian doesn’t embarrass herself, because her role doesn’t ask much of her to begin with.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Still, the former University of Miami standout did not want to be dealt, even publicly stating that just hours after the Dolphins’ embarrassing 28-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But the science shows exercising late at night, just before bed can disrupt sleep.—
Allison Aubrey,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
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China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force and Navy both operate advanced jamming aircraft, such as the J-16D, equipped with pods that can disrupt radar, GPS, and datalinks across wide areas.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Coaches and talent evaluators, both inside the Raiders’ facility and around the league, have been perplexed by the lack of creativity and production.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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But as the fearsome storm unfolded, perplexing science questions emerged, said Joshua Wadler, an associate scientist at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach who was aboard the flights on Kermit with Hazelton.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Much of the film’s drama then ensues inside Teddy and Don’s basement like a pseudo chamber piece as captor and captive face off in a battle of wits, logic and strange faith that blurs the lines between divisive politics, conspiracy and cosmic truth.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
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What starts as a cathartic process spirals out-of-control, as the line between justice and madness blurs.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Seattle sacked Lawrence a career-high seven times and flustered him all game.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
-
The Cardinals’ defense flustered Miami in a signature 24-21 win.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confuse. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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